Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of preventable blindness worldwide. It has been estimated that around 3 million individuals in the US have open-angle glaucoma, half of whom are unaware they have the disease. Blindness due to glaucoma currently affects approximately 120 000 US individuals, and costs the US government more than $US1.5 billion annually in social security benefits, lost income and tax revenues and healthcare expenditures. The aim of glaucoma treatment is to lower and then maintain low intraocular pressure (IOP), to halt the progression of the disease. Latanoprost ophthalmic solution [Xalatan] is a prostaglandin F2αanalogue which acts locally in the eye to increase drainage of aqueous humor and reduce IOP. It is indicated for use among patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. The economic effects of latanoprost treatment in patients with open-angle glaucoma were evaluated by a number of researchers presenting their work at a poster session at the 7th Annual European Congress of the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research [ISPOR; Hamburg, Germany, October 2004].